September 9, 2025 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Exodus - Israel Defeats Amalek
Exodus 17:8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: 16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
The LORD my banner is the meaning of Jehovahnissi. Amalek was the decedent of Esau who was brother to Jacob.
Here we have the descendants of Jacob and Esau fighting against each other. The battle would not last long for God was on the side of Israel. The battle was between seasoned warriors and Israel who were servants to Pharaoh. The army Israel had was ragtag at best.
Moses instructed Joshua to pick out an army to go against Amalek. I’m sure he sought the best he could find in the group. They went out and fought with the Amalekites. When Moses lifted his hands Israel prevailed, when his hands let down they prevailed.
Moses had Aaron and Hur on either side to help hold his hands on the air so Israel prevailed and defeated Amalek.
God used some good faithful men to help Moses keep his hands raised up so Israel could prevail.
Years ago I was challenged to hold a simple glass of water at eye level with my elbow off the table. It was to see how long I could hold the glass up without letting it down. I was able to hold it for only a short while before setting it back on the table. The demonstration was to show how we are not as strong as we think.
Amalek, the Amalekites, are another picture of the world just as Egypt was a picture of the world. Moses and Israel were God’s people fighting against the worldly Amalekites.
As Christians we need someone to hold our hands up and give us strength to win the battles the world brings to our lives. We have that help, He is God.
God told Moses to write this event, this battle, in a book and make a memorial of it. He wanted you and I to know when we trust in the Lord He will help us in our time need.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Exodus 17:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: 16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
God is our banner and in Him will we trust.
Psalm 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
Beloved believer, God loved you enough to save your soul, He loves you enough to help you in life and strengthen you in the battles you may face or are facing. He is our banner; is He your banner?
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
